Volcano erupting in Russia's Far East

In this photo taken on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, Plosky Tolbachnik volcano erupts in Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula. A Russian volcano which started erupting last week has continued to spew ash and smoke into the air. The Plosky Tolbachik volcano, in the Kamchatka Peninsula, last erupted in 1976. (AP Photo/Alexander Petrov)

Its last eruption had occurred in November after the volcano was dormant for almost 40 years.

Russian officials say the current eruptions are not likely to end any time soon. However, the volcano is not forcing any changes in the flight patterns of airlines that pass over that area of Russia, said Karpov and the European air traffic agency Eurocontrol in Belgium.